This book looks at the patterns and trends of participation in Indian elections since 1952 – the first elections held in independent India. It engages with debates around the nature of the multi-party electoral politics in India and its impact on the voting behaviour of Indian voters.

The book uses extensive empirical data from the state and national elections to analyze the history and evolution of the country’s electoral systems as well as the challenges and safeguards for conducting fair elections in the world’s largest democracy. The author explores the trends in turnout in regional and national elections and its relationship with electoral outcomes. He analyzes electoral patterns over the last seven decades as well as patterns of participation of marginalized groups, the younger population, and the narrowing gap of women’s electoral participation. The book discusses the role of money, the criminalization of electoral politics, and its influence on Indian elections. It also focuses on the issue of irregular delimitation of electoral constituencies and its implication on political representation.

Topical and comprehensive, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of political studies, political sociology, public administration and governance, and South Asian studies. It will also be useful for journalists and think tanks interested in India’s electoral processes and debates. It could serve as a guidebook as well for those interested in the nitty-gritty of Indian elections.

This book looks at different dimensions of political participation of women voters in India. Elections in India have witnessed an increasing electoral participation of women, both as political actors and as voters. Taking note of this positive development, the book looks at what has contributed to this increased turnout among women voters in Indian elections and discusses in detail the factors that facilitate or hinder this participation. Drawing on empirical data from 11 Indian states, it looks at key issues like the voting behaviour and political activities of Indian women; individual and motivational factors affecting participation; the political socialization of women at home; the role of internalized patriarchy and political opinions; along with the challenges faced by women in attaining representation in Indian politics.

An important contribution in the study of voting patterns, this book will be indispensable to scholars and researchers of political studies, women’s studies, gender studies, sociology, Indian politics, political sociology, voting behaviour and South Asian studies. It will also be useful for journalists and activists.

Bihar is politically one of the most significant states of India, with many politicians from this region being prominent in national politics. Post-Mandal Politics in Bihar presents a detailed account of Bihar’s electoral politics from the 1990s right up to the recent breakup of the RJD–JD(U)–Congress Grand Alliance. The book also traces the social and economic history of Bihar and the underlying reasons for its fragmented, caste-driven, and religion-driven politics. Additionally, it covers governance, leadership, and development, which are crucial factors in ensuring growth and prosperity of this state.

This is the first book in the SAGE Series on Politics in Indian States, which comprises volumes covering important trends in the politics of major states of India. It focuses on the electoral performance of various parties in the state and the changes party alliances have undergone. 

Bihar is politically one of the most significant states of India, with many politicians from this region being prominent in national politics. Post-Mandal Politics in Bihar presents a detailed account of Bihar’s electoral politics from the 1990s right up to the recent breakup of the RJD–JD(U)–Congress Grand Alliance. The book also traces the social and economic history of Bihar and the underlying reasons for its fragmented, caste-driven, and religion-driven politics. Additionally, it covers governance, leadership, and development, which are crucial factors in ensuring growth and prosperity of this state.

This is the first book in the SAGE Series on Politics in Indian States, which comprises volumes covering important trends in the politics of major states of India. It focuses on the electoral performance of various parties in the state and the changes party alliances have undergone. 

Changing Electoral Politics in Delhi is an in-depth analysis of voting patterns of voters in Delhi. Rapid immigration has changed the social profile of Delhi’s voters who seemed to vote more on class lines than caste as witnessed in many states.  

During Partition, the city had witnessed large-scale migration from Pakistan. Recent decades have also witnessed an influx of people to Delhi from various states. Subsequently, the demographic profile of Delhi has changed with a sizeable majority of migrants in many assembly constituencies. This transformation has a distinct impact on the electoral politics.

Since Delhi attracts people from various states and regions, it has resulted in a cosmopolitan culture. As compared to the past, class differences have become sharper now, reflected not only by people’s perception and attitude regarding various issues, but also when it comes to voting. By using first-hand survey data of a cross section of voters, the author demonstrates the voting patterns of the last four assembly elections and illustrates how class is more important than caste in Delhi’s politics today.